Selinda

(6 tents)Standing on the edge of the Selinda Spillway, Selinda Camp (GPS: SELIND) is the reserve's main camp though it still feels small.

Its tents are all traditional Meru-style walk-in tents with comfortable twin or double beds, wooden furniture and a relaxed, comfortable feel. Each has an en-suite bathroom, partially open to the skies, at the back with shower, washbasin and flush toilet. This is shaded by a thatched roof to keep it cool. When the generator's running there is 220V electricity available, at night there's a 12V system of battery lights.

The camp's main building is thatched and two storeys high, containing a bar (often self-service), a small curio shop, a comfy lounge and an upstairs dining room – where the candlelit dinners are marvellously atmospheric. Outside is a small plunge pool for when it's hot, and a boma area with central campfire for cool mornings and evenings.

The team is very enthusiastic about their activities, which concentrate on 4WD game drives in the morning and afternoon/evening. The former can start very early in the morning (a good sign of commitment to their game spotting!), the latter eventually becoming spotlit night drives.

Short walks can also be organised, often as part of a drive. Depending on the Zibadianja Lagoon's levels, boating and fishing trips are sometimes possible. As part of its continued monitoring of the reserve, the team assists with monthly game counts that take place every full moon. Enthusiastic visitors with stamina are invited to take part. (They also undertake aerial counts three times a year, as part of their overall monitoring programme of the reserve, though logistics mean that these aren't open for visitor's participation.)